Nelson Haven (Nelson City (unitary administrative area))

New Zealand / Nelson / Nelson City (unitary administrative area)
 bay, cove, invisible, harbour
A sheltered inlet separated from the open sea of Tasman Bay by the natural, 8 mile long breakwater of Boulder Bank. Great for birdwatching and romantic sunsets over the Arthur Ranges, but watch out for Rudy when he comes zooming by in his home-made Hovercraft!

Nelson Haven is a large tidal inlet formed in the lee of the Nelson Boulder Bank. Nelson Haven contains extensive intertidal sand and mudflats. It is an important feeding and roosting area for waders, including Eastern Bar-tailed Godwits, Banded Dotterel and Variable Oystercatcher. Pied Shags breed in pine trees on Haulashore Island to the west. Australasian Bittern occur around the fringes of the inlet.

Extensive development of Nelson Haven has left it with little saltmarsh habitat, and the extensive eel grass beds in the centre of the inlet are probably now the most significant source of detrital production. 40% of its intertidal area has been lost due reclamation and port development. All of its eastern shoreline has been modified by the development of Nelson Harbour with a relatively large commercial port and marina.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   41°14'14"S   173°17'37"E

Comments

  • Nelson Haven is a large tidal inlet formed in the lee of Nelson Boulder Bank. Nelson Haven contains extensive intertidal sand and mudflats. It is an important feeding and roosting area for waders, including eastern bar-tailed godwit, banded dotterel and variable oystercatcher. Pied shags breed in pine trees on Haulashore Island. Australasian bittern occur around the fringes of the inlet. Extensive development of Nelson Haven has left it with little saltmarsh habitat, and the extensive eel grass beds in the centre of the inlet are probably now the most significant source of detrital production. Forty percent of its intertidal area has been lost due reclamation and port development. All of its eastern shoreline has been modified by roading development. Nelson Harbour contains a relatively large commercial port and marina.
This article was last modified 3 years ago